CLARKIE’S GC FISHING – A Challenging Week on the Gold Coast
Gold Coast Fishing: A Challenging Week on the Gold and Tweed Coasts
The past week has been a tough one for anglers on the Gold and Tweed Coasts, with relentless south winds making fishing conditions less than ideal. However, there’s hope on the horizon, and we’ll will guide you through the best fishing options for the upcoming weekend. Saturday morning appears to be the prime time to hit the water before the winds shift again on Sunday. Let’s explore the possibilities for the weekend ahead.
Targeting Flathead: A Reliable Choice
Flathead fishing remains a solid option despite challenging conditions.
- After the Flathead Classic, many quality fish have been caught in the area.
- High tide around mid-day provides an excellent opportunity for morning shallow-water fishing.
- Target big Flathead by casting soft plastics, swim baits, and hard body lures using an electric motor or anchor for precision.
- Watch for signs of baitfish and bird activity, which can indicate prime fishing spots.
- As the tide recedes, focus on areas where water flows off the sandbanks, such as drains and creek mouths.
- Employ a combination of soft plastics, soft vibes, and trolling with the current to maximize your chances.
Whiting Fishing Success in Windy Conditions
Whiting fishing remains fruitful despite strong winds.
- Find sheltered corners in your local river or canal to escape the relentless winds.
- Anchor your boat in shallower waters with fast-moving tides to stir up the bait.
- Use high-quality bait such as blood worms, beach worms, or yabbies for better results.
- Keep moving if you haven’t had success after 20 minutes in one spot.
- Explore areas like the Tweed River, Currumbin Creek, and more for Whiting fishing.
- Equip yourself with a light and long rod and reel combo, a 6lb fluorocarbon trace, and a small bait holder hook.
Hunting Mangrove Jack, Estuary Cod, and Trevally
Warmer temperatures offer a chance to target Mangrove Jack, Estuary Cod, and Trevally.
- Focus your efforts around structures that attract these species, such as bridges, rock walls, jetties, pontoons, and submerged trees.
- Live baits are a great choice, but also experiment with a mix of soft plastics, hard body lures, and surface lures for variety.
While the past week presented challenges, the upcoming weekend promises fishing opportunities for those willing to adapt to changing conditions. Whether you’re after Flathead, Whiting, or more elusive catches like Mangrove Jack and Trevally, the Gold and Tweed Coasts offer a diverse range of options for anglers. So, gear up, plan your strategy, and make the most of your time on the water. Happy fishing!
Quotes from the Boats
Brad from Brad Smith Fishing Charters reports:
“Here we are again at the end of another week and to be honest it was a pretty tough week when it comes to the fishing. Constant raging winds from the northwest to northeast then the southeast blew like crazy making it hard to fish the areas that I would have liked to fish. Match this with the fact that we have not received any life bringing rain made me have to work very hard for both the fish and my clients. Through hard work combined with persistence, and the knowledge of protected areas out of the howling winds we still managed as always to land some pretty nice fish. The species caught this week were Flatties, Bream, Whiting, Flounder, School Jew and Grunter and one very tiny Mangrove Jack.“
Clint from Brad Smith Fishing Charters/Gold Coast River Charters reports:
“I had to work very hard to find fish on my charters this week, but we did catch Dusky Flathead, Bar tail Flathead, Fringe Eye Flathead, Jew, Sand Whiting, Winter Whiting, Gold Line Whiting, Flounder, Squire, Bream, Tarwhine, Grassy Sweetlip and Arrow Squid. Best lures were Ecogear ZX40, TT switchprawn, Samaki Vibelicious, and TT Quake. Yabbies and beach worms worked well on the Whiting. Let’s hope the fishing improves next week, I’ll go looking for Sand Whiting and Flathead.“
Gavin from Sea Probe Fishing Charters reports:
“There are still some nice Snapper, Kingfish and Amberjack out on the 50 fathoms using live bait and floating pilchards., Dolphin fish were very quiet this week but always still try for them doesn’t take long for a school to find the fads again and also in close plenty of Jewfish and nice size Snapper taken on live baits. “
LINKS & INFO
If you have any great catches or photos you would like to share, please email us and let us know how you went. mail@coomerahouseboats.com.au.
Stay up to date with all fishing regulations in Queensland https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries
Hire a tinnie with your Coomera Houseboat hire to maximise your fishing range on the water: http://www.coomerahouseboats.com.au/our-fleet-type/hire-tinnies/
Seabreeze is a great website to access a local forecast http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/
Good luck with the Fishing. Brett
